Tram 'Wirye Line' to Run in 2025... Project Plan Approved and Construction Started

Wirye Line Route Map

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's Metropolitan Area Wide-area Transportation Committee (MAWTC) announced on the 28th that it has approved the project plan for the 'Wirye Line Urban Railway Construction Project.'

The Wirye Line Urban Railway Construction Project is an eco-friendly new transportation project connecting 5.4 km in length with 12 stations (including 3 transfer stations) by tram, investing a total project cost of 261.4 billion KRW as part of the Wirye New Town's wide-area transportation improvement measures.

Following the approval of the basic urban railway plan in October 2020 and subsequent detailed design procedures, the project plan has now been approved. The project implementer, Seoul Metropolitan Government, plans to officially commence construction in November 2022 and open the line in September 2025.

The trains on the Wirye Line (tram) will consist of 5 cars (modules) per train. A total of 10 trains will operate at 5-minute intervals during peak hours and 10-minute intervals during off-peak hours (branch lines will operate at 10-minute intervals during peak hours and 15-minute intervals during off-peak hours).

It will be possible to travel to Wirye New Town using trams from Macheon Station on Line 5, Bokjeong Station on Line 8, and Namwirye Station, which is expected to alleviate transportation inconveniences for local residents and greatly contribute to revitalizing the local economy.

The tram vehicles are ultra-low-floor vehicles equipped with electric batteries on the roof to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and improve accessibility for transportation-vulnerable groups. Since overhead wires, or catenaries, are not required to supply electricity to the vehicles, the urban landscape will not be impaired.

The vehicle depot will be underground, and the surface will be developed into parks and green spaces to provide resting areas for local residents. The Jangjicheon crossing bridge, which the Wirye Line passes through, will be constructed as a cable-stayed bridge with excellent aesthetics to harmonize with the waterside park.

Lee Seong-hae, Chairman of the MAWTC, stated, "We plan to actively support the project to contribute to resolving transportation inconveniences in Wirye New Town and to complete it within the scheduled timeframe."